Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is commonly viewed as one of the most complicated but favored poker variations. It’s a variation that, even more than regular Omaha poker, invites play from all levels of players. This is the main reason why a once invisible game, has expanded in acceptance so rapidly.
Omaha hi lo begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are handed out to every player. A round of wagering ensues in which players can bet, check, or drop out. 3 cards are handed out, this is known as the flop. Another sequence of wagering ensues. Once all the players have in turn called or dropped out, a further card is flipped on the turn. an additional round of wagering ensues at which point the river card is revealed. The entrants must attempt to put together the best high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is the point where some entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Holdem, in which the board can make up every player’s hand, in Omaha Hi-Lo the player must use exactly three cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, not a single card less. Unlike regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "higher hand" or the "low hand."
A high hand is exactly what it sounds like. It is the strongest hand out of every player’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house. It’s the same concept in just about all poker games.
A lower hand is more complicated, but really opens up the action. When deciding on a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the worst being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes don’t count, A-2-3-4-5 is the lowest possible hand. The low hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an 8 and lower. The low hand takes half of the pot, as does the high hand. When there is no lower hand presented, the high hand wins the entire pot.
It may seem difficult initially, after a few hands you will be able to pick up on the basic subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and betting for the high, and seeing as so many cards are in play, Omaha/8 provides an amazing range of wagering options and owing to the fact that you have many players shooting for the high, as well as several trying for the low. If you love a game with all kinds of outs and actions, it is not a waste of your time to participate in Omaha hi/low.